How To Make Butterfly Wing Jewelry, Polymer Clay Pendants
Does this Project Article Need a Follow Up Video Tutorial? Let me know…
Sometimes (well actually… a lot of the times) I like to think outside of the box when I'm working with polymer clay. For example, instead of using my Shape Makers Leaf Cutters (Studio by Sculpey tools) for making leaves, I decided instead to use them for creating a beautiful Butterfly Wing pendant.
For this butterfly jewelry pendant, Studio by Sculpey Clay was mixed with Premo Translucent to give the wing both the flexibility of the Studio and the transparency of the Premo.
A teardrop blend of yellows and blues was created and then layered into a short wide cane similar to the one used to make the sculpted flower beads in Vol-013.
This 'cane' was then flattened with an acrylic roller, to about 1/4" in thickness, and slightly larger than the Gingko Leaf cutter from the Studio by Sculpey Shape Makers set in this photo to the right >>>>>
A simple bulls eye cane of pink and blue Studio clay was then created; Cut into thin slices; Layered onto the cane slab and rolled into the surface. These bullseye cane slices become the spots on the butterfly wings, so a little thought should go into their placement and arrangement.
The texture plate that came with the leaf cutter was used to press veins into the wings' surfaces, after which the cutter was used to cut out the wing shape.
Baking on a bed of cornstarch allowed the piece to end up with a gentle, natural looking curve.
After baking, a grommet was added, as well as an antique finish to bring out the depth of the veining.
I have received several compliments when wearing this piece. It's large enough to get noticed, unique enough to get asked about and simple enough to wear often.
I really liked making it and am debating whether or not to film a follow up video tutorial. Anyone interested or did I give you enough information in this article?
Filed Under: 02: Tools, 11: Bead Projects by Comment. 
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Comments on How To Make Butterfly Wing Jewelry, Polymer Clay Pendants
5:44 am
Very cute pendant! I could probably follow your instructions and get the job done but I'd love seeing you do it!! I'm one of those visual people. So….
7:47 am
A follow-up video tutorial would be wonderful for me. Love the butterfly wings.
8:01 am
I am new to polymer clay jewelery so any project that you can put on video would be helpful to me
9:14 am
I would love to see a tutorial on this procedure.
That artwork also reminds me a beautiful shimmering fish or sea mammal tails. Since scientist use tail markings to identify the whales, and such, it just seems a wonderfully natural thing to reproduce and wear.
Fortunately, my next door neighbor returned from her vacation whale watching in Maine with some truly spectacular pics. They had eleven whales surrounding their boat at all times during the watch.
There was some phosphorescence of tiny creatures all through out the pics, as well as some awesome bubbling and waves as those tails slapped and disappeared.
I so hope I can capture some of this in a pendant made after your tutorial of this technique.
Humpbacks are mostly dark grey, with some white on the tips of the tail, so I am thinking this might be a perfect time to pull out the metallic colors for the whale.
Sea colors, no problem, I don't think. Been looking at the Atlantic Ocean my whole life so I better get the bubbling water right, LOL.
Thank you for the inspiration, Cindy.
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10:15 am
Yes, yes, yes. Do a follow up video. I too think I could muddle through the written instructions, it is sooo much easier when I can see you work your magic.
10:27 am
Cindy, you did an excellent job of describing the process of creating this fanciful butterfly wing. I feel I could make an attempt at trying to create these with your directions. I am still waiting on the grafetti beads… hint hint… lol…. thank you for all you do….
10:59 am
Thanks guys! I may just add it to the queue then. Hopefully more of you will let me know what you want.
@Jocelyn: I thought about fish tails as well! Smaller tropicals rather than large whales, but whales would be excellent inspiration as well. I've seen many whales in the Pacific off the West Coast of Canada and have been lucky enough to see dolphins jumping in Phosphorous waters too. Would be cool to mimic that look with glow-in-the-dark clay somehow. Let me know if you try it!
@nancy: You're in luck… the Graffiti Bead video will be included in Vol-015 in the library (August Line up). So you won't need to wait much longer!
11:49 am
Cindy, as a newbie I can't get enough of your videos. I already went through your 39 basic polymer video course videos and they were great. I've seen a lot of other videos on the web but yours are so easy to follow. I'd love to see this in video form. You Rock!!!!
1:01 pm
Video for me please! So Beautiful! Elizabeth
1:46 pm
Also, Cindy. I always favor video, but those a great written instructions too, and I think I could take a whack at it based on them and come close.
They are stepped, matched to videos and clear. Very nice!
9:09 am
Cindy;
Most definitely do a technique video for this charming piece. Not only will we get to see how you created it but see the Studio products up close.
12:56 pm
Yes! I would love a video!
Beautiful necklace, by the way!
1:48 pm
My vote is for the video too. Like several have said, I could probably stumble through your written directions and do just fine, but there's just something about seeing it done that clears up any confusion. Not to mention triggering thoughts of other things that could be done in a similar fashion.
1:53 pm
All right… you guys have twisted my arm! I'll put the butterfly wing on the list of future videos. :-)
Anyone else want to chime in?
4:08 pm
A beautiful pendant and great article!
12:30 pm
Very pretty! I love the layers of color and pattern – that along with the semi-translucence gives the piece a lot of depth. As a more experienced clayer, I wouldn't need a video tute for this, but a new clayer might.
9:37 pm
Very Nice. I love butterflies and think a video would be great.
Loretta
9:25 am
Ok guys… the butterfly wing, pendant tutorial is done. You can see the preview video clip by clicking on the link by my name above.
2:59 pm
Cindy, I have noticed on some of the videos that you have used a grommet looking piece of metal to create a hole in pieces of clay. The piece I saw was a flat oval with this type of hole. I love the finished look that creates. Have you done a video on this or can you direct me to some info.
Thanks for the help.
Linda
3:08 pm
Hi Linda – Welcome to the members library. It's great to have you as part of the polymer clay community here.
Those grommets really do give a professional look to pendants. I demonstrate how to use them in the Vol-016-2 video (see link by my name) and again the Vol-018-3 video (you will also see information about this tutorial by clicking on the link by my name).